10-Second Review: White Stripes

Wednesday

Jun 20, 2007 at 12:01 AMJun 20, 2007 at 8:17 PM

Quick-hit review of new White Stripes album.

Matt Torman

The White Stripes, ‘Icky Thump’

Jack White and pseudo-sister Meg White continue to recondition our ears and force us to accept the fact that less is always more with The White Stripes’ sixth studio album. The thunderous title track and the downright country “Effect and Cause” bookend 11 songs that not only rock but do so with capricious stretches of razor-sharp guitar and striking vocals — not to mention some heavy-metal mariachi. The duo’s steadfast balance of plangent and playful will keep us anxious for the next release, but it’s Jack’s devotion to innovation that’ll earn The White Stripes yet another Grammy for Alternative Album of the Year.